The effect of a low sun angle on red dot optics

[GJM]

Getting to spend time in AZ during the winter is awesome, with all the sunshine. However, you get low sun angles in the winter, and they can really mess with red dot pistol optics. I took pictures of the RMR, Acro, SRO, Romeo 3 Max and RTS2. The RMR is bad, showing a flock of dots, the Acro has multiple dots including a translucent colored one, the SRO has two main dots, while the RTS2 and Romeo 3 Max are awesome in a low sun angle. It is important to start with a clean lens, as debris on the lens makes things a lot worse.

RMR:



Acro:




SRO:



Romeo 3 Max:




RTS2:

[GJM]

I forgot to mention the DP Pro, which we really aren’t using much anymore. It is better than the RMR, but worse than all the others in a low sun angle.

Also, imperfections on the lens, like you might get from brass repeatedly hitting the lens, make things worse.

[GJM]

The RMSc is excellent in the low sun. Lens doesn’t look bad after three months or so of EDC.

[miller_man]

Good info.

From the pics, it doesn't look like the sigs are in direct sunlight like the others though. Maybe just looks different in the pics?

[GJM]

In each instance, I held the optic in the most unfavorable light, since that is what the worst case scenario is. With the Romeo 3 Max and RTS2, it didn’t matter as you only got one dot.

Here is the Max yesterday morning.

[MVS]

Definitely a problem I am familiar with using the DPP and RMR though they are great compared to my short time with the Vortex offerings. Seeing that Max 3 looking so good I went and checked one out online. Judging by the price, Sig is pretty proud of that optic.

[miller_man]

Ah, now I SEE

Didn't doubt your subjectivity GJM - just thought it looked pretty different in the pictures.

[rob_s]

What size dot in the RTS2? I assume pretty large?

[GJM]

What size dot in the RTS2? I assume pretty large?

It is 6 moa, which is about the size most USPSA shooters consider ideal, although there are certainly those that prefer smaller and larger dots.

If you carry or compete with a red dot, it is worth your time to pull the slide off and go look at worse case low sun angles to figure out how they might affect your optic, will BUIS work if you get multiple dots, and what your plan is if neither your dot or BUIS are usable.

[tlong17]

Thanks for the quality post. Do you still have a R1 Pro to test the same? I have to imagine it would be the same as the R3Max unless there is something different other than the larger viewing window.